If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Welcome to CycloneFanatic.com. I notice you haven't taken the time to register yet, now is as good of time as any:)

Re: A Must Read

Perhaps we are out of touch
Wednesday 03-10-2010 6:34am CT
Steve received an email exchange between an Iowa State fan and Iowa State Athletics Director Jamie Pollard. In the email, Pollard says that he had received over 100 emails from Iowa State fans, and the email from the fan cited below was the only one of those emails that contained negative sentiments to Jamie's decisions he announced on Tuesday. Perhaps Miller & Deace are out of touch with what the majority of Cyclone fans think on this issue.

Dear Mr. Pollard,
I am writing you today in regards to the state of the basketball program. I find it troubling that you continue to allow the program that I have watched for as long as I can remember fall into the shambles that it has. I remember watching players like Fred Hoiberg, Marcus Fizer, Jamal Tinsley, and so many more work Hilton Magic. I have watched almost all the games this year, and other then parts of the Texas game, I have not felt that "Magic" since you hired Greg McDermott. In fact, the ticket I bought for the Missouri game will be the last I purchase from your program until there is a change. It is sickening to me to watch the end of Iowa State Basketball games. You can point to the close games and say that they mean something. But every time I watch a close game, I know they are going to lose. I get that sick feeling in my gut because I know whats going to happen. Coach McDermott has shown no ability to coach at the end of the game. No team he has coached has ever shown that they have any capability to win a game in the clutch. Probably because he makes no adjustments during any game I have ever watched. Clearly the strategy he coaches by is not one that will win today, or tomorrow, or any other day in the Big 12 conference. To compound the issue, you are allowing him to basically start his tenure over. More then likely, next year there will be no Craig Brackins. There will be no Marques Gilstrap. Why Mr. Pollard should I buy a ticket to any game next year? To watch Scott Christophersen get burned by players from Kansas, Kansas State, and Texas again? Or better to watch Diante Garrett dribble the ball off his foot five times a game? The only success that Coach McDermott has had is to run off his best players. It sure seems like Mike Taylor and Wesley Johnson seem to be doing fine with their new coaches.
It makes me sick that you are allowing this joke to continue. You are poking the eye of the greats that built this program into the dynasty it was. I feel bad for the likes of Johnny Orr, Jeff Grayer, Barry Stevens, Jeff Hornacek and every other person who poured their heart and soul into this program only to watch you allow it be driven back into the ground. I feel bad for them, and for all the rest of the fans of this program who are forced to put up with this sick joke. I see no improvement and until I do I will not be putting any of my money into your program. In fact, allowing for this hideous nightmare to continue not only should Greg McDermott be worried about his job, but you too, Mr. Pollard.

1. Yesterday I received over a hundred emails following our letter to ticket holders and donors. Interesting enough, of all the emails I received, the only negative one was from you. Glad to know that your feelings are not shared by the majority of other Cyclone fans.

2. Although I appreciate your passion and desire to write me, I only wish you had the same passion in helping be part of the solution by joining the Cyclone Club or being a season ticket holder. Our records indicate you have never made a donation, purchased season tickets or even purchased a single game ticket from our department. Unfortunately, athletics is like politics - people have a lot of answers but never many solutions.

3. For someone who claims to be a Cyclone fan for as long as you can remember, it it amusing to me that you never have supported the program that you so claim to love. Rather than spending time worrying about what Orr, Grayer, Hornacek, and others would think - I think you should be more worried about yourself. Your email is actually rather embarrassing given your lack of action.

Thanks again for your email. I do appreciate it. I also hope you give some thought to my question about joining the Cyclone Club or purchasing season tickets. You can't expect better results if all you are willing to do is sit on the sidelines and write an email to the Athletics Director.

Re: A Must Read

Originally Posted by Cydkar

Snippy but to the point. That was a Tavern Clone.

Agree. JP really gave it to that guy straight. It takes a lot of nerve to complain to the AD without every having donated a cent to the program. Not to mention the numerous miss-spellings of the players names and taking a pot-shot at SC after he just played the game of his life against KSU. I'm not a fan of McD thus far, but I'm a realist and I don't think JP had any better options at the end of the season.

Re: A Must Read

The tone is definitely a bit harsh, and I think Pollard has come off as a bit on-edge this week (maybe because he's had to make a decision he didn't want to make).

That said, I agree with much of what he said. Fact of the matter is money buys you a voice. Right or wrong, that's the way it is. I donate and buy tickets, but I don't expect my opinion to matter at all compared to someone who donates 6 figures. It's called reality.

If some dude from Urbandale is passionate enough to e-mail the athletic director, why isn't he passionate enough to fork over some dough for tickets or a Cyclone Club donation? It's like someone who isn't an investor e-mailing the Board of Directors and expecting them to give a damn about his opinion.

For the record, I'm not sure this same argument applies to out-of-staters, although they can still donate to the Cyclone Club without attending games.

Re: A Must Read

I'm going to go ahead and support Jamie on this one.

I have opinions about the state of the program (not a fan of Mac's product) but have only been able to attend 3 or 4 games since Mac took over the program since I live about 1000 miles from Ames. I watch as many games a possible on tv or ESPN360 but that doesn't give the support the program really needs ($$$). I'm not going to send Jamie an email expressing my opinion, especially the type that person did, and expect a positive response.

All content owned by CycloneFanatic.com - All rights reserved 2005-09. By viewing this website you agree to the Terms of Service, Site Rules and Legal Disclaimer. The words, views, images and opinions expressed or provided by users do not reflect the opinions or views of CycloneFanatic.com or Iowa State University. The names, words, symbols, and graphics representing Iowa State University are trademarks and copyrights of the University protected by the trademark and copyright laws of the United States of America and other countries and are used on this web site under license from the University. Original site design, premise & construction by Jeremy Lind.